By Leah Matthews, Third Year Classical Studies
9am. Friday, 21 February 2025.
After collecting my Press Accreditation badge, featuring a slightly outdated photo that serves as a reminder that I should really stop cutting my own hair, I made my way to the Berlinale Palast, the festival’s Mecca. I tried to blend into the stream of coffee-fuelled journalists, as we headed towards the 9:30am Press screening of Alex Russell’s directorial debut: Lurker. Of course, my childlike excitement betrayed me and exposed itself through my relentless, beaming grin as I navigated through the various press checkpoints, flashing my badge like Central Cee does a wad of cash on his Instagram.
The cinema itself was exactly as one would imagine: rows upon rows of red velour seats, all obediently facing a screen so large it felt almost overwhelming. Steven Spielberg said in his (second) Desert Island Disc, that “films are made to be watched on the big screen”, and this cinema reminded me that Berlinale, in many ways, transcends the idea of merely ‘celebrating’ cinema. It feels like a form of film worship. As my thoughts lingered, the lights dimmed, and we all sat back to indulge in today’s first cinematic offering.
Lurker, written and directed by Alex Russell, follows the story of an unlikely friendship between pop-star Oliver, and the seemingly insignificant Matty. Intrigued by Matty’s opinions on his music, Oliver invites him into his inner circle- more as a disciple than a friend. What begins as a fascination soon spirals into obsession, and questions about power and control, friendship, and the jagged road to success amalgamate to create a masterfully unpredictable narrative.
While this narrative may echo the likes of The Talented Mr. Ripley and Saltburn, Russell acknowledges the influence Ripley on the screenplay, using it as a stepping stone to create a story that is uniquely his own. Shot in LA, with an interesting juxtaposition of 16mm film and Matty’s horrendous ‘faux-art’ camcorder footage, every element of the film works in harmony to create a layered and captivating narrative, filled with twists and turns that draw out laughter, painful wincing, and a deeper commentary that lingers long after the credits roll.
Those credits rolled, and it was time for me to head over to the Grand Hyatt Hotel for the film’s press conference where Alex Russell (Director), Theodore Pellerin (Matty), and Archie Madekwe (Oliver)- whom I realised actually plays Farleigh in Saltburn- share their perceptions. There was a fascinating flow of questions asked, from which many insightful answers were provided. Russell, writer for TV shows Beef and The Bear, explains that ‘the things I find funny are often the most dramatic’, and this sentiment is certainly evident within Lurker, where humour and drama are seamlessly intertwined.
The discussion then turned to the film’s music, which plays a central role, given Oliver’s career as a musician. The most significant song in the film, both in terms of narrative placement as well as its lyrics, is Love and Obsession. Archie shared that in preparation for the role, he met with some musicians that lie at Oliver’s level of fame, one of whom his friend, Rex Orange County. Rex plays him a song intended for his new album, and that very song is Love and Obsession. When Archie heard it, he immediately recognised how perfectly it resonated with Russell’s screenplay despite Rex being entirely unaware of the film’s premise. They immediately asked if could be used for the film, and, of course, Rex accepted. It was a beautiful anecdote unveiling the organic process that shaped the film.
There was a poignant moment when Russell revealed that the house in which much of the film was shot- which was not a set, but a home in Los Angeles- had tragically burned to the ground during the recent LA fires. He pondered the future of filming in LA, and we all took a moment to reflect on the devastation caused by the fires.
Before I knew it, the final question was asked, and I realised I had missed my opportunity to contribute to the discourse. Nonetheless, I was elated to have been present , and to have gain a better understanding of the intricacies of the film, straight from the storytellers’ lips. Lurker is an enjoyable and engaging film, woven with meaning and individuality.
Be sure to watch out for Lurkers UK release in the coming months!
